Shane McMahon Promo
“I think everyone is seeing it. YOU are living vicariously through @FightOwensFight and @SamiZayn!” – @SamiZayn to @WWEDanielBryan on #SDLive
? ? ? pic.twitter.com/WZUJz9jziT
— WWE (@WWE) February 7, 2018
Shane McMahon opened the show by reminding the crowd about the upcoming Kevin Owens/Sami Zayn bout, saying that he did not agree with the matchup, but that his counterpart, Daniel Bryan, did. Bryan then came to the ring to the tune of the usual thunderous ovation.
The conversation between McMahon and Bryan was momentarily derailed by a Rusev Day chant, at which point Shane asked them if they would rather see Zayn/Owens again, or a different superstar get a shot at the title. The crowd seemed more excited at the idea of the latter, most likely with Rusev in mind.
Shane attempted to reason with Daniel by telling him that the “yep” movement is a rip-off of his creation and either Shane O Mac can cry on command, or legitimately got emotional talking about his friend’s career.
AJ Styles then made his entrance. He grabbed a mic and cut a good, but somewhat out of place promo about how nothing could stop him because he’s the best there is before walking back up the ramp.
Liv Morgan vs. Charlotte Flair
ONE down, TWO to go…@MsCharlotteWWE begins her dissection of #TheRiottSquad as @YaOnlyLivvOnce taps to #TheQueen! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/SfLaSbvgRv
— WWE (@WWE) February 7, 2018
This match was the result of The Riott Squad attacking Charlotte during her in-ring speech last week. Charlotte apparently still felt some type of way about it, as she struck out at Liv Morgan with massive vengeance.
Seriously though, Charlotte destroyed Liv. It wasn’t much of a contest. Especially after Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan were ejected from ringside. The Riott Squad are a cool unit, but Liv isn’t a believable threat to Charlotte yet.
Winner: Charlotte Flair
Kevin Owens Interview
“That’s up to @SamiZayn and whether or not HE can handle LOSING to ME!”- @FightOwensFight‘s thoughts on the future of his and Sami’s friendship #SDLive pic.twitter.com/wofTMamH7V
— WWE (@WWE) February 7, 2018
Kevin Owens was shown backstage being interviewed by Renee Young in front of his dressing room. She asked him if his match with Zayn would affect their friendship. For once, Owens didn’t insult her for asking, but instead directed his shade at Sami by saying that it would come down to how he felt after the match, as Zayn would be the one taking a loss.
The Bludgeon Brothers vs. More Cool Indie Guys
Teamwork. #SDLive #BludgeonBrothers @LukeHarperWWE @ERICKROWAN pic.twitter.com/ehQsJeZZZJ
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 7, 2018
Once again, The Bludgeon Brothers made their epic entrance to destroy indie guys half their size. WWE picked some particularly small opponents for them this week, but it was a good call, as it made Harper and Rowan look like monsters.
After an easy victory over the Cool Indie Guys, The Usos came out and slowly made their way past The Brothers, once again neither speaking to nor touching them, simply scowling as they passed. This is clearly where the Tag Championships are heading, and the more they tease it, the more excited I get at the idea.
Winner: The Bludgeon Brothers
The Usos Promo
You just got your weekly reminder…
It’s NOT paranoia; it’s the @WWEUsos! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/8xnQN9H4W3
— WWE (@WWE) February 7, 2018
The Usos cut yet another fantastic promo. They explained what “Uso Penitentiary” really means while turning the speech into a freestyle rap.
The tag champs really are at the top of their game right now, this is by far the best they have ever been and a feud with The Bludgeon Brothers is going to further prove that fact.
Top 10 Superstars List
#WWEChampion @AJStylesOrg is No. 1 on the #SDLive Top 10 Superstars List! Do YOU agree? pic.twitter.com/r8dFPXR5Et
— WWE (@WWE) February 7, 2018
SmackDown General Manager, Daniel Bryan, revealed the superstar-voted list of the top guys and girls in the brand. It was as follows:
10. Tye Dillinger
9. Randy Orton
8. Becky Lynch
7. The Usos
6. The New Day
5. Bobby Roode
4. Naomi
3. Shinsuke Nakamura
2. Charlotte Flair
1. AJ Styles
No surprises here, fellas.
Rusev Dayyyy vs. Bobby Roode
What a KICK from @RusevBUL, but @REALBobbyRoode is able to KICK out! #SDLive #USTitle @WWEDramaKing pic.twitter.com/z1ra2X2dh6
— WWE (@WWE) February 7, 2018
“The ring is covered in canvas because that is where art takes place” – Aiden English
You will never hear something so poetic on an episode of WWE TV again. Rusev and Aiden were shown in the gym to get a cheap pop from the crowd, and it worked. Rusev is hands down one of the most over things in the company right now, well-deserving of the US Title.
After a break, we came back to Aiden having a sing-a-long in the ring, complete with a Rusev head bouncing over the words.
This was a fun, but commercial-filled match. At one point, Rusev got in a nasty kick to Bobby’s head after a distraction from English and we thought he would be the new champion, but Roode kicked out at the last second. Bobby Roode retained with a Glorious DDT.
After the match, Randy Orton appeared and gave everyone in the ring an RKO outta nowhere.
Winner: Bobby Roode
Benjamin and Gable Promo
There’s no mystery here! @WWEGable and @Sheltyb803 are MAD and they’re in ACTION…. NEXT! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/EJkRdrukrN
— WWE (@WWE) February 7, 2018
Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable cut a promo backstage about the state of the tag team division, saying again that the rest of the teams are a joke and they are going to make the division legitimate, starting with taking down The Ascension.
Unfortunately, the awkward typography made its way on the screen again. Because making the product look cheap is cool, I guess.
Benjamin and Gable vs. The Ascension
Set them up and TAKE THE DOWN! @WWEGable and @Sheltyb803 lay waste to #TheWasteland as they put away @KonnorWWE and @ViktorRiseWWE! #ScratchAndClaw #SDLive pic.twitter.com/8foKcClecX
— WWE (@WWE) February 7, 2018
The match started with Gable and Benjamin beating Konnor down until Viktor tagged in and finally got some offense for his team. It didn’t last long, however, as Gable and Benjamin used quick tags to overpower their opponent.
Gable and Benjamin have tons of potential, they are both ultra talented and continue to prove that they are capable of adapting to whatever situation is thrown their way.
Winner: Benjamin and Gable
Ask The New Day
There are PANCAKES and QUESTIONS aplenty! Keep them comin’! #AskTheNewDay @XavierWoodsPhD @TrueKofi @WWEBigE pic.twitter.com/MiAgn2ejRf
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 7, 2018
The New Day were shown in short clips throughout the show in a segment called #AskTheNewDay. They point was to show them answering questions from Twitter, but, as you would probably expect, they did less of that and more rubbing pancakes on themselves and acting ridiculous in general.
Wow, wrestling is weird. But in the best way possible.
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
Whatever it takes. #SDLive #ZaynvsOwens @SamiZayn @FightOwensFight pic.twitter.com/JlrkP0rT7s
— WWE (@WWE) February 7, 2018
AJ Styles sat at the announce table during this match to give his commentary on the action and see first hand who he would be facing at Fastlane. When asked who he would prefer to win, he said he didn’t care, he would love to beat the crap out of both of them.
The match began slowly, the best friends smirking at each other after a few false starts, each believing that he would be the one to take on the champion. You can tell that these guys have wrestled each other hundreds of times on top of both being elite performers, their movements and spots were effortless.
They got chippy with each other early, as true fighting best friends do, and it continued throughout the match. I don’t think it can ever be said enough how talented these two truly are, especially when pitted against each other. Even AJ was caught grinning at the action.
After wearing Owens down, but before pinning him, Sami Zayn got in Styles’ face at ringside. AJ did his best to ignore it but got eventually lost it and attacked Zayn and Owens, causing a disqualification.
At this point, Daniel Bryan had seen enough and came out to announce that, considering the circumstances, the match at Fastlane would be a triple threat between Owens, Zayn, and Styles to close out the show.
What letter grade would you give tonight’s show? #SDLive
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) February 7, 2018
